Millions of pounds of funding for sustainable local transport are up for grabs as Wokingham Borough Council considers joining Reading Borough Council as a partner in a major bid for £24.2 million central government funding.

Reading Borough Council has to submit a bid for Local Sustainable Transport Fund money by December 20. The bid has to include the support of potential partners and, at its meeting on Thursday November 24, 2011, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive will consider lending its support. 

Executive member for transport Cllr Keith Baker said: "This could be excellent news for the whole local area. What Reading does for its transport systems has a major impact on Wokingham Borough residents, many of whom travel into the town for work.

"This bid is about supporting economic growth and improving sustainable transport. While we are not committed to any specific elements of the bid, I will be recommending to my executive colleagues that we lend our support in principle to this bid, which could bring significant improvements to transport for Wokingham Borough residents." 

Outline suggestions within the bid include smart ticketing systems (similar to the Oyster Card system in London), smarter and more efficient real time information for travellers and cycling and walking schemes.

The Primary Care Trust and West Berkshire Council are also partners in Reading’s bid. 

Wokingham Borough Council is developing its own bid for up to £3million of funding for Wokingham-specific initiatives aimed at supporting growth through reducing congestion. Details of this bid will come before the executive in January 2012.